Consider a Cylindrical Cow: More Adventures in Environmental Problem Solving

by John Harte

Following in the tradition of Consider a Spherical Cow, the Cylindrical Cow will help students achieve a whole new level of environmental modeling and problem solving. Featuring a new core set of 25 fully worked-out problems, this book uses real problems in environmental science rather than relying on the more traditional cookbook problems found in textbooks. It is organized according to five thematic sections on probability, optimization, scaling, differential equations, and stability & feedback. Each section begins with a general treatment of the relevant mathematical concepts, and concludes with a range of homework exercises to help students sharpen their modeling skills. Like its predecessor, this book will empower students with the mathematical skills needed to cut through the complexity of real-world problems.

211 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2001

About the author

John Harte (born July 8, 1939) is an ecologist and Professor of the Graduate School in the Energy and Resources Group at the University of California at Berkeley and an elected Fellow of the American Physical Society. His work includes investigation into a maximum entropy theory of ecology and long-term experiments on the effects of climate change on alpine ecology.

Source: Wikipedia